Mama(n)datory

Literally.

Although I have yet to replace my 10days of last year's puasa but as I type this, I can now confirmed that

1. We (as in Mayesa and I) will be donning black; Sofia and papa will be wearing purple. Guess who decides on the theme? Yes, Mayesa. She's been wanting to get a black peplum with a bling waist ever since she saw a girl who wore that at one of the event we went to. So we'll see if it's going to be half and half or if all of us will be donning black.
2. It's our turn to go back to Muar, dad's hometown for raya. Since mom is travelling to Perth for raya with four of her grandchildren, the rest of us are still pretty much undecided. Of course dad wants us in Muar, I want to go back to Muar. But seems like my husband vetoed on this one pulling our little family of 4 to most probably just raya in town, and only to travel down South a month later to Universal Studios. Of course the girls agreed, Mayesa especially like d'oh, so I have to give in too.. I guess? (My lontong, nasi bryani, on first day of raya..*sobs*) Raya in Klang? Urghhh aiyooo.
3. I have no plan to organize any open house at the moment, but all are welcome any day. Ikut nasib lah datang hari yang ada raya food atau cuma ada kuih je ;p
4. Mayesa's already listing down her raya shopping, from head-to-toe. That girl is growing too fast.
5. I on the other hand, don't intend to shop for raya (like every other year). Lagi pula kalau raya in town je, where we don't really go anywhere - no raya visits at all, so why bother getting new outfits? Just the morning of raya, and that's that.
6. Cakes and cookies? Maybe, just maybe I'll do a recipe or two just to liven up the raya spirit with my two girls. They'd love that, I'm sure. The rest, beli je lah kalau perlu.

   Semperit (custard cookies) is a must for me during raya; and pineapple tarts. They just melt in your mouth!! Source: Lisa's Lemony Kitchen
7. House decoration? Maybe some flower pots and our family pictures or some abstract paintings to fill up the empty walls. I don't intend to spend much for the house this year, we've done quite a renovation just in time for last year's raya.

I'm sure you've noticed that big orange slide in the middle of the house. Who wouldn't?

We're reaching the end of January.
And it is 2018, people.

It's a shame really, that I still get some raised issue; some criticism over the choice that I made for my girl.

Source : Google

Why a general pre-school, not an Islamic one?
That building was supposed to be a church back then but the mosque next to it protested for it not to be one so it became a preschool. (See, we should not discriminate others in the first place! They'll be like "dah ada masjid, tak boleh ada gereja. Nanti orang pergi gereja, tak pergi masjid. *FACEPALM* Like, for an example, the most obvious example that seems to be happening these days : non-muslims are not allowed to go into a(ny) mosque, simply because they're non-muslims. *FACEPALM* 'pious' Muslim brothers and sisters, please stop the discrimination.)
She's wearing a skirt, she's supposed to be wearing a headscarf.
Chinese runs the school? Do they even teach agama there, or they don't?
What does she eat in school, is it Halal?
Her mates and teachers - are they malays, or of different races?

20freaking18.

Do you really have to question those?
Do I really need to answer any of it?

"It is nearing the end of the world".
But it is not the end of the world, yet.
I shall point that statement back to you now, shouldn't I?
It is nearing the end of the world.

Look at you.

Firstly, why do you have to be so racist towards the non-malays?
What's wrong with having friends and teachers whom are of different races and religions?
Why would you just be in a group of Malays, and not mix around with the rest?

Melayu dengan melayu.
Tak berkembang.
Thinking and actions level stops there.

Although I do like the fact that an Islamic school teaches the kids more on religious lessons and needs, but that's that. Nothing else excites me to send my girl over to such a school.
That is why I did not chose an Islamic school in the first place.
Bukannya nak hentam kaum melayu sendiri, atau tak sedar diri tu melayu Islam.

Islam does not teach you to be racist towards one another.
Islam does not teach you to be full of hatred.
Islam does not teach you to disrespect others.

Jangan kolot fikir diri sendiri tu perfect dan orang lain tak; questioning and judging people.

I'm not that stupid to not live within my means, to let my kids and family live too far out of our religious ways.

Of course it's a good preschool, even if it was first meant to be a church then turned into a school. She's not enrolled into a church lah please. The school wouldn't still be there more than a decade if it's of bad reputation, you think?
Of course the school has agama classes for the kids, I even teach her Islamic lessons at home. Do you?
Of course the food they serve is Halal. They live in Malaysia, they are aware of the mix culture. They're mostly non-muslim but they do respect their Muslim students needs so why can't you respect them too?
Of course her classmates and teachers are of mix races, I chose her to be in that group so that she socialize with all. What is wrong with that?
Of course she's wearing a skirt, that's the school uniform. She's only 5, and she's an active child. Why would you want to restrict her clothing, her childhood, her imagination?

We're not too far out of our Islamic ways, inshaaAllah.

Mind your own business, and stop the hatred.
Look into yourself before you talk bad about others.
Stop judging.

I am far from a good muslim but I thrive to be better.

I may not chose an Islamic school, you do.
I at least don't disrespect others, you do.

Peace out.

Disclaimer: This post might be a little harsh and sensitive to some people.
Heck, some might even think I am aiming this particular post to him/her.
Directly or indirectly, maybe yes maybe no.
It is up to you whichever way you decide to read/assume who it is really pointed to.
Or shall I just depict it as a general message to all? You be the judge; you love judging, yes?

3 times this month alone.

Source: Google

Mayesa's now in pre-school.
She did joined into RockStar Gym for a few months last year but has since terminated her membership. She loves to dance, no doubt; just that she couldn't find enough joy (particularly friends - whom were 'according to her' mostly unfriendly to befriend with), so yeah. Currently she's not involved in any other extra classes such as Iqra' (this, I'll teach her on my own at home), swimming, arts, music classes etc.

None.

So here's my question to you:
Is it really necessary to send your kids to extra classes?

At the time being I have no intention or any plans on enrolling her for any classes outside of her school-hours. I strongly believe that a child can learn so much, but they only have a minimal time span to focus on one thing. She's only turning 5 this year and she has long (17?)more years to extend her knowledge. So I don't intend to rush her into things; I'm going to let her enjoy her childhood.

Just take one steady step at a time now will you?

I know it's challenging nowadays. The syllabus they've prepared and the results they're expecting from the young ones are ridiculous for the ministry to do so and for us parents to even brain them. Learning mathematical equations and extensive vocabs which we won't even be using much if not any in real life, that I don't see the need to burden them with those things.

It is like a war between those kids, and lead to an expected war between us Asian parents with a known kiasu-ness. Everyone is trying to compete with everyone else. It is a battle field, no doubt.

Chill people. Take a chill pill if you must.
Let them learn, and play. Let them find joy in learning.

A close example would be of my nephew.

He has school in the morning, agama(religious) school in the afternoon and tuition classes at night every single day in the week. Even on weekends! How do these kids absorb the inputs well in the first place. And how do you parents find the willpower to push (or shall I just say, pressure) them through it all?

Nowadays even pre-schoolers are being pushed to go into many different extra classes too. And no joke, there are cases where the young ones are needed to go to a psychiatrist due to depression.

Source : Google / Pinterest

I can't brain this.

I know I am still in the early stage of having a child who just started schooling.
Maybe I am (still) too laidback with my parenting, but does that mean my child won't excel much and advance like the other children? *cricket cricket*
I just don't find it necessary to send her to the extra classes at the moment. I'll let her learn and grow at her own pace. I'll spend time to get her involved with after-school activities with me at home, be it educational, arts, cooking, technology, sports whatever she feels like doing on that particular day.

Of course, there's absolutely no right or wrong way to parenting.
You do what's best for your child however you want them to be.
But would you just think about the child, mentally and emotionally, instead of just grades and just good grades?

This is just my take.
I know I won't burden or pressure my two daughters that much. As long as they're learning well, is on par with expectation and excellency,  and doesn't fall too far behind - I'm good. InshaaAllah.

I am somehow still in pain even after 2 weeks since I pulled my back from lifting Sofia.

I had a massage over the weekend and the aftermath was so painful to bear with. Some says I shouldn't have had the massage, whilst some say I should since it had already been more than a week. The lady masseuse is my normal go-to and so I went. I was told to brave the soreness on the very next day, but never did it crossed my mind that it'd be this badly sore.

Still carrying this little one even with the pain I'm having. How can I not?

I had a rough Monday to begin with. I had a difficult time getting out of bed that morning - I cringed, cried and just had to force myself to be on my feet for school-runs and chores. So bad that it felt like a post-cesarean pain except that it's on my back. That bad. I could not even toss and turn in bed without feeling the burning pain. Sitting in the car, driving Mayesa to school and back home got me chanting "Ya Allah. Cepatlah sampai. Astaghfirullah. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts so bad." Alhamdulillah we made it to both school and home safe and sound.

It is now day 3 post-massage.
I am feeling much better and I can now freely do chores again albeit still in fear. Getting in and out of bed is smooth but still with a little soreness. It still hurts though not as much, whenever I sit for a long time especially in the car since I have to sit up and elongate my leg to accelerate/brake.

I am still putting yoga or any form of exercises on hold for the moment. Yes, I am as stiff as a log once again. Can't even reach my toes during a forward fold now; I even do a seated-solat now. T_T

Not quite a good personal start to the new year eh?

Allah is testing me early in the year.
Inshaa Allah all will be better soon.
Amin.

I brought the girls over to one of their baby cousin's birthday-do a week ago. It was held on a Friday afternoon, in Wangsa Maju.

Banker2Baker Instagram : @banker2baker 34, Jalan Wangsa Delima, Pusat Bandar Wangsa Maju 016-4474006

Friday? Wangsa Maju?

It was a Hello Kitty x Unicorn themed party, a Kittycorn?!

On first thought, obviously I had no intention to brave the traffic going there and especially on the journey back home. But Mayesa insisted to go, and I succumbed to her wants just because I noticed nobody else (in my family) is responding to attend the party. Kira wakilkan yang lain lah - anak buah dah buat birthday party, aunties and uncles semua tak attend macam alahai tak sampai hati. Not like I have any other good plans on that day anyway.

Wangsa Maju is foreign to me. I've only been there twice - once for work-related, the other was to meet up with my husband's friends. So I took the easy route in and out, via DUKE. Thankfully it was a smooth journey to and fro despite it being on a Friday afternoon, with minor usual traffic in Duta (like, where else? D'oh).

Cake and dessert spread were nice. Butter-y and not too sweet, very much to my liking.

I admit, going to a well-decorated birthday party made me want to throw one too. Sofia still hasn't gotten any proper birthday-do thrown for her, unlike her sister who's had a couple of bash.

This year, Sofia.
I promise.
I'll throw you a big do this year-end.
Inshaa Allah.

So Mayesa has started her pre-school years.

Prim and proper for school

She had no trouble getting up early in the morning. In fact she was so eager to get to her first day of school that she quickly had only a few bites of her grilled cheese sandwich for breakfast. Mama was over excited too; mama only realized whilst we were already in the car ready to leave the house that her school starts at 815am for the first two (orientation) days instead of 745am.

So we made a stop at McDonald's for coffee, and milo.

We arrived just minutes before her school starts.
She was seated with a group of girls, whom she (rather)quickly became friends with within minutes. Alhamdulillah she is such a champ, following through her first class of singing, coloring, and writing. Of course we waited the whole two hours outside her classroom on her very first day of school; and she kept waving and giving us a thumbs up to tell us that she's doing fine.
Today we left her to be on her own in school.
She told me she didn't cry, but she did have a pool in her eyes when we waved goodbye. Just a little, normal anxiety.

We are proud parents.
So proud.
Syukur, Alhamdulillah.

She's done with her two days' orientation, and tomorrow is the beginning of it all.
No more sending her right to her classroom and no more waiting outside her class.

I hope she'll be alright.
I know she'll be alright.

Proud. Proud. Proud of my little (grown) girl.